Yurbuds Add Wireless Bluetooth Headphones

posted by Tyler Benedict - February 3, 2014 - 9am EDT

Yurbuds ear bud shapes have won us over for some sorts of riding, and now you can get that same comfort in a wireless Bluetooth iteration.

The new Inspire (shown, left) and Focus models use a large 15mm driver and use their Twist Lock silicone ear plugs. They do all the expected things like one-button pairing, volume and phone/pause/play buttons and stereo playback. And they are guaranteed to “never hurt and never fall out”, which we’re hoping to put to the test for ourselves.

One standout feature is the woven fabric cover on the cord connecting each side. The grabby, rubbery strap on the Jaybird Bluebuds X was one of the few gripes we had with that one, as it can pull on your jersey or gloves and dislodge them from your ears too easily. The fabric cord also keeps them from getting tangled up.

The Inspire use in-ear mounting only, likely making them better for use with helmets and sunglasses. The larger Focus model (shown below) uses an over-the-ear mount. Both allow for ambient noise to pass through, making street and car sounds audible during use. Or nature, if you’re into that. They’re resistant to sweat and a light drizzle, have about an 8-hour battery (estimated, they simply say it’s good for a week’s worth of normal workouts) and get a lifetime warranty against defects. Retail is $169 each.

Comments

Zap? - 02/03/14 - 10:09am

What kind of riding are you doing where it’s boring enough that you have to wear headphones? I’ve never understood this concept at all, especially while riding on roads where there are other vehicles present. Seems insane to me.

NASH - 02/03/14 - 10:52am

@zap?

You obviously have never had the pleasure of a 30 mile commute listening to the noise of your chain and the wind.

Also you use your eyes to check for hazards not your ears. That why the people that hold licenses for motorcycles use the term Life Savers to LOOK for hazards.

Willis24 - 02/03/14 - 11:02am

Zap- I consider it multi-tasking. There are only so many hours in the day, so when I ride is when I listen to all the cycling podcast’s that I subscribe to. Plus I ride gravel roads and can sometimes see 4 or 5 car in 50 miles and you always hear them coming.

Now to the product itself, the asking price is absolutely ridiculous! The price point on something like this should be about half of what they are asking. They should probably have replaceable foam ear tips similar to the pair of Etymotics ER6i that I currently wear. I have tried many different types of tips offered and foam is the only way to go!

Of course the Bluetooth is certainly a very nice feature, but wires do not limit the length of time you can listen. Keep doing your homework and you guys will eventually get the right combination.

Vinny - 02/03/14 - 11:07am

@nash

You’re wrong. It’s against the law in most states to wear headphones and ride a bicycle. So you can HEAR the fire truck coming around that blind corner and you can also HEAR when a passing rider says “on your left” Riding with headphones can be enjoyable if you’re on the trainer.

This isnt coming from someone who doesn’t ride bikes, I ride a lot and I run into people on my ride wearing headphones and they never have a clue whats going on around them.

Backbeat Go’s from Plantronics are selling for $65 on Amazon. I’ve used them everyday for 2 years. Durable and can’t beat the price. I’ve found YurBuds to always be overpriced for what you get.

If you want a real solution to in-ear phones like these constantly falling out, especially while trail riding, look up a DIY tutorial on using EasyMold silicon putty to form custom molds. I can wear mine in NASCAR pits and while shooting at the range, they never fall out while riding and they’re easy to pop in and out. A $20 box of it will make at least 50 molds.

VJGoh - 02/03/14 - 11:19am

I bought a pair of Yurbuds and returned them. The wind noise through them is INSANE. I couldn’t even listen to podcasts while WALKING, because that generated enough air motion to make it hard to hear things. I’d crank the volume, and then when I stopped moving and the whistling stopped, I’d suddenly be faced with blasting headphones that were way too loud.

I bought a pair of Sennheisers and fit them with Etymotic foam inserts. It works way better as a general solution. If you want to hear the road, either take one headphone out, or leave them at home. This middle-road solution is terrible.

Ilikeicedtea - 02/03/14 - 11:25am

@Willis24

Just wanted to point out that MSRP on the Etymotics that you recommend is $149, and they aren’t Bluetooth.

Why should these cost half of what they priced?

Jaybirds BT headphones are also right in the same price rangs.

Graves - 02/03/14 - 11:25am

But guys.. they’re the first earbuds endorsed by Ironman Triathlon!

Jason Spiker - 02/03/14 - 2:34pm

We have a 30 mile rail trail near us that we use to get through a peninsula. I can’t count the number of times I’ve come up on a dipshit with headphones on and had to veer completely off the trail whuile they wander left and right with no idea someone is over-taking them. Annoying.

I don’t mind when people ride with one bud in though, then they can hear you shout. I even have a bud on one side but I leave it out/off most of the time.

Willis24 - 02/03/14 - 3:55pm

Ilikeicedtea, just wanted to point out that I only paid $74.95 for them on Amazon about 4 years ago. I suppose you could get the Yurbuds less than MSRP also…

NASH - 02/03/14 - 4:50pm

@Vinny

You’re wrong.

A=I dont think so.

It’s against the law in most states to wear headphones and ride a bicycle.

A=I live in the UK and not America, we have laws based on facts not stipulation.

So you can HEAR the fire truck coming around that blind corner and you can also HEAR when a passing rider says “on your left” Riding with headphones can be enjoyable if you’re on the trainer.

A=I have never heard a rider say “on your left” earphones or no earphones. We pass on the right over here.

This isnt coming from someone who doesn’t ride bikes, I ride a lot and I run into people on my ride wearing headphones and they never have a clue whats going on around them.

Q=How do you run into people when riding a bike?

Ilikeicedtea - 02/03/14 - 8:25pm

A= I don’t.

Nick - 02/04/14 - 6:00am

I often ride with headphones. I can hear cars fine (in fact the reduced wind noise means I can hear them better than without headphones), and personally I can’t tell the difference between the sound of a car which will overtake me safely and one which will mow me down.

I don’t ride in the middle of the road and I look behind me before I make any manoeuvre. Don’t really see an issue.

I picture Tyler posting this review up just to see what sort of insanity he could unleash in the comment section.

Ham-planet - 02/04/14 - 2:01pm

@Gene
Modern music is produced in stereo, with distinct channels for each ear. If there was only one bud you would have to downmix all of your music yourself.
Using two earbuds whilst cycling is about as disabling as driving a car with the windows up.

bab74 - 02/04/14 - 2:40pm

Returned my Yurbuds ($50.00) for some Jaybirds ($170.00) and much happier. They need to get rid of those weird ear nipples!

I bought this headphone just this month and I really like it. What I’ve done is, when I drive I just put one on my ear for me to hear the trucks coming at the same time listening to music. Driving wont be boring with this technique.

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